CD Sonic the Hedgehog 5xx

These screenshots are from the Sonic 2 Solid Gold Guide. It's an early version of Sonic CD, quite similar to CD Sonic 520 (5/20 - 20th of May), so I've called it CD Sonic 5xx. It probably represents a version of the game later than 520 but earlier than 712.

Left: CD Sonic 5xx; Right: CD Sonic 520

The title screen is identical to the leaked 520 beta.

5xx has an intro movie, which 520 doesn't have.

This screenshot is interesting because of the thing that looks like a balloon. Originally, Sonic may have destroyed balloons instead of UFOs in the Special Stages. The Special Stage in 520 is unplayable.

Left: CD Sonic 5xx; Right: CD Sonic 520

The graphics for the "accelerator" are slightly different. Look at the yellow bands.

Left: CD Sonic 5xx; Right: CD Sonic 520

Part of act 2, same in both versions. The rings are impossible to collect.